A whole new world

SO...today I ventured to the local social security office to order a copy of my card because my previous one seems to have gotten lost during the move. Going downtown is always an adventure for me. First, I can't parallel park (without getting pissed off or scratching someone's car) and second, I have no sense of direction in this crazy, curvy city. I finally made it to the office (after trying several other buildings first) and got my number in line.

It was a small room that was crowded and smelled of B.O. and it was filled with many interesting characters. As entertaining as the whole experience was, it was sad to see many of these individuals who you could tell were homeless or struggling to get by. Everyday I get in my car and pass numbers of homeless individuals. I want so much to help but I have no idea where to start and keep having to remind myself that Jesus already saved the world--it's not my job.

This will show you how naive and small town minded I am... I was getting off of my exit right by the superdome and saw 50-100 people scattered about in the parking lot under the bridge. My mind immediately thought "Wow, I can't believe people are camping out for the Saints game". I went home and told my roommate and she gave me this look like "alright". It wasn't until later that week when I drove by and saw the same thing that I realized these people were homeless and trying to get out of the rain.

Please pray for this city and its people. Pray also that God will show me my role in ministering to the many needy individuals here.

"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield." -Psalm 33:20 (NIV)

I love lists!

I just thought I would share that I love lists! There is something so gratifying about getting to cross something off your long list of things to do that it motivates me to get moving and get things done. The most gratifying thing though is getting everything on the list completed then throwing the list away. Woo Hoo!

I know I'm weird but I embrace it because it gives me this warm tingly feeling inside.

Merry on the Ferry

So...Dane suggested I take the Riverwalk Ferry as a free thing to do downtown and you get a great view of the city. Last night my roommate and I grabbed coffee then boarded the Ferry while listening to a live jazz band on the Riverwalk and watching other dinner boats and barges pass by us. We successfully crossed to the opposite side (Algiers) where we got an amazing view of the city and were chatting and waiting to go back when the captain told everyone to abandon ship (well, not exactly those words) because they had to trade Ferrys. Little did we know that this process would take close to 1 1/2 hours.
There is not much to do in Algiers but we did spot a little bar at the bottom of the hill, the Dry Dock, that looked like a respectable establishment. A few people had just come out of the place and were headed our way so we asked them if it was a decent place. After they confirmed that it was indeed decent and had shared their life story with us, we headed to the Dry Dock where we ordered a couple of appetizers and drinks. They ended up bringing us an extra side which a couple at the end of the bar was eyeing. After sharing this side with them they cozied up to us and were chatting about everything. Their names were Leigh Ann and Jason--a middle aged couple who are originally from chicago; Leigh Ann was a chatterbox and very friendly with a couple of drinks in her :). They ended up getting my roommates number so they could call us in a couple of weeks when they were going to go out again.
I can't wait for them to call; it will be a great opportunity to see some fun places and bands as long as it is not one of the nights that they go to the strip club. I don't think they are Christians judging by the things they said, but the whole time Leigh Ann was talking about how she looks at every person as a potential friend and how showing someone grace is a great way to get to know them--in one of her stories showing someone grace meant giving them a cigarette. "Grace" was a regular word in her sentences and I am hoping that God will use me and my roommate to show her His Grace.

I made it...

I can't believe that I drove 6 hours towing my car without a single incident. I arrived to New Orleans and my friend Charles arrived shortly after to help me unload all of my stuff. It rained the entire time we were unloading but it was perfect and refreshing in this Louisiana humidity.

One helpful tip my friend shared with me is to keep at least a half tank of gas in your car during hurricane season because if a storm does come it can be difficult finding any.

Life in New Orleans is already so different than anywhere else I have lived. I'll have to make a list sometime soon of the uniqueness of NOLA.

Our first day in DC

Sunday morning we packed up the van and drove 10 hours to Arlington, VA where we spent our first night of vacation. This morning we packed up again and headed to DC. We are staying just a few blocks away from the capital and the mall. Our first stop was the Smithsoniam museum of natural history. Here are some moments from the day:
A bird pooped in corey's hair--notice the white spot--so i had to snap a picture; he was pretty mad.

The oldest living fossil by the oldest natural fossil. :) I love you mom!

Eaten by a shark!!! Oh no!!

Eating a snack and waiting to go into the museum.

Here is a cool picture from the metro right before my first ride. It is not bad if you are sitting but i got a little motion sickness when I had to stand...i guess it beats driving and trying to park downtown.

Real Life

I feel like a real adult and I am longing to be back in my Auburn bubble! I am working two jobs and love what I do but it is exhausting. Today I worked from 7:00 am to 9pm with a 2 hour break somewhere in the middle. Did I mention that I'm exhausted??

Yesterday I visited a Buddy, Ame, who was admitted to UAB and had a tricuspid valve replacement surgery. She is recovering well with the help of her friends and family and is encouraged by the cards, balloons, and flowers she has received.

Ame is probably the sweetest person I know. She has down's syndrome but that has never slowed her down when it comes to being a great friend. Before her surgery she had to go in to have her heart looked at. When Ame woke up, she knew the doctor had been looking in her heart. The first thing she asked the doctor was "When you were looking in my heart did you see Jesus in there?" The doctor replied, "Ame, every time I see you I see Jesus in your heart."